It's Not Cool to Feed Sandhill Cranes

To some, it can be hard to resist, but feeding sandhill cranes (and most other forms of wildlife) usually does much more harm than good to the animals you are trying to "help." Sandhill Cranes fed by people can become agressive and cause property damage....and guess what else? It's illegal to feed Sandhill Cranes. 

Our chapter's treasurer was recently inquiring about a banded Florida Sandhill Crane seen in Sarasota. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission had captured it with another crane in Lakeland last spring and translocated them 90 miles to Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area. These birds had been causing property damage and as part of a simple experiment they were moved to see if they would take up residence in the “wilds” of that state land. One bird returned to the capture site and the other (one in Sarasota now) has not.

So just an important FYI: resist the urge. You can do it!

Here's a really cool article from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission that explains a little more about it.